DUP says allegation that government assisted in creation of Provisional IRA must be investigated

DUP justice spokesman Paul Givan made the call during a debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly yesterday on the Smithwick report into the IRA murders of RUC Chief Supt Harry Breen and Supt Bob Buchanan near Dundalk in March 1989.

Any process dealing with the past must also look at the actions of the Irish government in assisting the creation of the “infant monster of the Provisional IRA”, the DUP has demanded.

DUP justice spokesman Paul Givan made the call during a debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly yesterday on the Smithwick report into the IRA murders of RUC Chief Supt Harry Breen and Supt Bob Buchanan near Dundalk in March 1989.

In his December report, Judge Peter Smithwick found that on the balance of probabilities, one or more unidentified gardaí colluded with the IRA in the killings.

“The report poses clear challenges for the leadership of An Garda Síochána about how it failed to handle concerns about rogue officers and the culture which Judge Smithwick says prevails to this day,” said Mr Givan.

“This report should be the catalyst that brings forward the truth about the failings of the Irish government and its agencies.”

The Assembly adopted a DUP motion calling on the Government to “take the necessary action to ensure that those responsible for criminal acts within their jurisdiction are brought to justice”.